2024 End of Season Reviews: Penrith Panthers

Penrith Panthers

Ladder: 2nd
Record: 16-8 (222)

Won Qualifying Final 30 v 10 v Sydney Won Semi Final 26-6 v Cronulla
Won Grand Final 14-6 v Melbourne

The Penrith Panthers climbed back to the top of the mountain after claiming a fourth consecutive Premiership. The Panthers had defied the salary cap for years as despite big name stars like Matt Burton, Viliame Kikau and Api Koroisau amongst others leaving the club, coach Ivan Cleary was still able to find a way to win it all. However, the loss of Stephen Crichton had many predicting that it would be one star too many.

With the exception of some dour performances at the start of the year, the Panthers were still Premiership fancies behind Melbourne who had secured the minor premiership. Penrith breezed through the finals and were near perfect in the Grand Final to once again make history.

Highlight: Going back-to-back-to-back-to-back

The Penrith Panthers have etched their place in not just rugby league history but Australian sporting history after claiming their fourth consecutive Premiership. The Panthers entered the Grand Final as underdogs against the minor premiers in the Melbourne Storm and comprehensively outplayed them. The 14-6 scoreline flattered the Storm who were brutalised in the middle of the park and were gradually worn down.

It was a tactical masterstroke from Ivan Cleary who drew up a plan to tire Melbourne’s forwards and it was executed to perfection by his players. You could argue it was the most impressive of their four Grand Final wins. It was a full circle moment as the Panthers defeated the only team that has denied them on this historic run.

Honourable Mentions: Isaah Yeo, James Fisher-Harris and Jarome Luai all named as national captains, Round 23 comeback win v Parramatta

Lowlight: Magic Round upset v Warriors

It is understandably difficult to pick a season lowlight from a team who has just won four straight Premierships but the Magic Round loss to the Warriors was arguably their worst performance of the year. Penrith were well below their best for most of the afternoon before back-to-back tries put them four points ahead with 10 minutes remaining.

Penrith would cough up a try in the 71st minute to hand the lead back to the Warriors who bravely held on to claim an upset 22-20 win. The Panthers are renowned for their excellent completion rates, only completing 78% of their sets. Coach Ivan Cleary was so angry with the performance that his press conference lasted just over two minutes due to his blunt one sentence answers.

Honourable Mentions: Video ref blunder results in World Club Challenge defeat, Round 25 loss v Canberra

Best Player: Jarome Luai

2024 was a coming of age season for Jarome Luai who ended speculation early in the year about his future. Once he signed his lucrative offer to join the Wests Tigers, the pressure immediately fell onto his shoulders over his ability to lead a team and play at halfback without Nathan Cleary.

The 27-year-old sensationally proved the doubters wrong with arguably his finest season to date as he led the Panthers throughout long stretches of the year with Cleary on the sidelines due to injury. Across his 24 appearances this season, Luai finished with four tries, 236 average kicking metres, 15 try assists, 13 line break assists and an average of 102 running metres.

Luai also dominated the 2024 State of Origin for NSW and his line break late in the Game III decider set up the pivotal try for Bradman Best to put the Blues ahead and ultimately led to the famous series win. He has been rewarded for a super individual by captaining Samoa in their upcoming Tests against England in October.

Honourable Mentions: Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin and Dylan Edwards

What they need for 2025: Nothing

Why fix what isn't broken? They are essentially the perfect product already. The only question mark for 2025 will be how do the Panthers replace Jarome Luai, James Fisher-Harris and Sunia Turuva. However, we were asking the same question 12 months ago when Stephen Crichton left for the Bulldogs and we were asking the same question 24 months ago when Viliame Kikau and Api Koroisau left.

Early 2025 prediction: 2nd

Grade: A+

There is nothing left to be said about this champion team. The 2024 Penrith Panthers have capped off a remarkable period in rugby league history that will likely never be seen again. Surely they can’t win five in a row?